Class collaboration

Class collaboration is a principle of social organization based upon the belief that the division of society into a hierarchy of social classes is a positive and essential aspect of civilization.

Class collaboration in various socioeconomic systems

Class collaboration under capitalism

In capitalism, society is divided into various productive roles via division of labor. These various roles may or may not constitute different social classes. But society does divide into classes based on production, and these classes are central to prosperity.

Class collaboration under communism

Communists, and anarcho-communists are typically ideological movements fundamentally opposed to class collaboration, generally favoring a classless society instead.

However, some Leninists argue that, in a country with a large peasant population, the transition to communism can be accomplished by an alliance between two classes, the peasantry and the proletariat, united against the bourgeois class.

Class collaboration under fascism

In the words of Benito Mussolini, fascism "affirms the irremediable, fruitful and beneficent inequality of men." Given this premise, fascists conclude that the preservation of social hierarchy is in the interests of all classes, and therefore all classes should collaborate in its defense. Both the lower and the higher classes should accept their roles and perform their respective duties.

In fascist thought, the principle of class collaboration is combined with strong nationalism. The stability and the prosperity of the nation was seen as the ultimate purpose of collaboration between classes.

Rejection of class collaboration

Class collaboration is generally rejected on the basis that it is founded on social privilege. Philosophers of every camp have argued against having social privilege in society.

Capitalist rejection of class collaboration

Capitalism is ideally based on the principle of equality under the law, meaning that social privilege does not afford any class any economic or legal advantages. Therefore, ideally, there should not be social classes, only economic classes.

Communist rejection of class collaboration

Whereas the doctrine of class struggle urges the lower classes to overthrow the ruling class and the existing social order for the purpose of establishing equality, the doctrine of class collaboration urges them to accept inequality as part of the natural state of things and preserve the social order. Furthermore it holds that the State alone 'reconciles' class antagonisms in society, and that the strife which gives rise to Communism can be harmonized.

Some Marxists use the term "class collaboration" as a pejorative term describing working class organisations that do not pursue class struggle.

Fascist rejection of class collaboration

The idea that inequality is natural and that social progress must be resisted is a distinctly reactionary and more conservative view, while more radical fascists such as the Falangists, early Italian fascists, and some Nazis (such as Strasserites) called for a social-revolution to overcome the old injustices holding back their respective nations from becoming truly great. That in itself is a great divide between the radical fascists and the conservative autocratic ones.

See also

• Fascist corporatism
• Volksgemeinschaft